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Twelve killed by cyclone in Oman Twenty killed by cyclone in Oman
(about 7 hours later)
Twelve people were killed when Cyclone Gonu struck the Gulf country of Oman, an emergency official says. At least 20 people were killed when Cyclone Gonu struck the Gulf country of Oman, emergency officials say.
The storm was the strongest to hit the Gulf for decades, damaging buildings and trees in Oman's capital, Muscat, and leaving many roads flooded.The storm was the strongest to hit the Gulf for decades, damaging buildings and trees in Oman's capital, Muscat, and leaving many roads flooded.
High winds and heavy rain were also reported, and electricity and water supplies were interrupted.High winds and heavy rain were also reported, and electricity and water supplies were interrupted.
The cyclone has carried on north-west, gradually weakening as it approaches the Iranian coast.The cyclone has carried on north-west, gradually weakening as it approaches the Iranian coast.
Residents along the coast of southern Iran have moved to higher ground and sought shelter in schools and mosques.Residents along the coast of southern Iran have moved to higher ground and sought shelter in schools and mosques.
The Iranian town of Jask has reported high winds, heavy rain and overflowing rivers. There have been three reported fatalities, when a river in the southern port of Jask burst its banks and floodwater overturned a vehicle.
Ports closedPorts closed
Abdullah al-Harthi, a spokesman for the Royal Oman Police, told local TV at least 12 people had died in the cyclone. Abdullah al-Harthi, a spokesman for the Royal Oman Police, said by Thursday afternoon that at least 20 deaths had been blamed on the cyclone and 24 people were reported missing.
Your pictures: Oman delugeYour pictures: Oman deluge
He did not give any more details. Police had warned people in Muscat to stay indoors during the storm and the streets had been largely deserted.
Police had warned people in Muscat to stay indoors during the storm and the streets were largely deserted.
Some 20,000 people were evacuated in the oil-rich sultanate.Some 20,000 people were evacuated in the oil-rich sultanate.
Omani ports were closed and flights were suspended at Muscat airport.Omani ports were closed and flights were suspended at Muscat airport.
However, shipping continued in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries up to 40% of world oil supplies.However, shipping continued in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries up to 40% of world oil supplies.
Cyclone Gonu diminished in force in the 24 hours before it struck Oman.Cyclone Gonu diminished in force in the 24 hours before it struck Oman.
It had peaked two days earlier, with a maximum Category Five designation over the Arabian Sea.It had peaked two days earlier, with a maximum Category Five designation over the Arabian Sea.
A cyclone is the meteorological name for hurricanes in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific.A cyclone is the meteorological name for hurricanes in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific.


Were you caught up in the cyclone? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Were you caught up in the cyclone? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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